Showing posts with label Mamak Cupcake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mamak Cupcake. Show all posts
Friday, August 15, 2014
Mamak Cupcake Di Pawagam 28 Ogos Ini!
Yes, yes, yes! After a long, long wait, "Mamak Cupcake" has a release date and will be in cinemas beginning 28th August 2014!
Friday, August 01, 2014
Mamak Cupcake (Script Excerpts)
Don't worry, no spoilers! Just a little sneak peak from an early draft. And yeah, Sam's name was later changed to "MJ". Just hit me up if you have questions about the writing or movie itself : )
(Mamak Cupcake is hitting cinemas 28/8/2014)
INT. MOHAMMAD NASI KANDAR – DAY
A guy is standing by the drinks dispenser and is holding two TIN MUGS. He’s in the midst of making teh tarik. From his nametag on his uniform, we know it is HUSSEIN.
Hussein pulls the tea in an impressive manner, not usually seen at other mamak restaurants.
When he’s done, he pours the tea into a medium-sized plastic bag. The camera pulls away and standing there, is a single OLD WOMAN in baju kurung.
OLD WOMAN
Hish, lama betul buat teh. Aku ada meeting ni lah.
The woman just shakes her head in disgust. Hussein stands there, “tergamam”.
He then walks over to the cashier counter. The restaurant itself is only half-packed with customers, mostly office workers and senior citizens. Other MAMAK WAITERS in their matching uniforms are attending to the customers.
Hussein then flashes a warm, yet tired smile when a young BOY approaches the counter and picks out a couple of SUGUS candy from a bottle.
BOY
Berapa sen ni bang?
HUSSEIN
30 sen, dik.
The boy hands 50 sen over to Hussein and waits for the change. When it doesn’t come…
BOY
Mana duit baliknya bang?
HUSSEIN
Duit baliknya...
Hussein reaches out to the boy and touches his ear and a 20 SEN COIN appears. The boy smiles; delighted by this bit of “magic”.
TIMELAPSE and the clock shows it’s now 9.40am. Hussein is anxious. He signals to one of his staff, ABU to sit at the cashier counter. Hussein then looks around and leaves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. MOHAMMAD FAMILY HOUSE, HUSSEIN’S ROOM – NIGHT
Hussein lies on his bed and stares at the ceiling. He then sits up, and slides out a SECRET CHEST from under the bed. He unlocks and opens it, and takes out a BOOK entitled ‘CUPCAKE-MAKING 101’. We also see other books in the chest, including ‘ART IS LIFE’ and ‘THE BEST IN INTERIOR DESIGN’. Hussein is not the typical mamak.
He flips open the pages of the cupcake book, looking at the beautiful illustrations.
Suddenly there’s a knock on the door. A slight pause then the door opens; it’s Mohammad.
Hussein hastily chucks the book back into the chest.
Mohammad enters. He gestures to Hussein.
MOHAMMAD
Hussein, ikut appa.
Hussein is puzzled but follows Mohammad out of the room.
INT. MOHAMMAD FAMILY HOUSE, UPPER FLOOR – NIGHT
Hussein and Mohammad are in front of a locked DOOR.
MOHAMMAD
Dalam ini, hadiah kedua kamu, Hussein.
Hussein is surpised.
HUSSEIN
Wah... selama ni, saya ingatkan ini cuma bilik stor. Tempat simpan hadiah, rupanya...
Mohammad suddenly flips open a set of KEYS. In a fast-forward manner, Mohammad opens 8 different locks. Hussein is even more impressed.
Mohammad pushes the door open, and suddenly a beam of LIGHT comes shining through.
INT. MOHAMMAD FAMILY HOUSE, SECRET ROOM – NIGHT
Hussein walks in slowly while Mohammad follows behind.
Once inside, we see the walls are adorned with PORTRAITS of prominent Mamaks with gold-rimmed frames. The lighting is spectacular.
MOHAMMAD
(pointing to the portraits)
Hussein, ini semua nenek moyang engkau. Sejak bertapak di bumi Malaysia ini lebih 200 tahun lalu, kita telah berbakti dengan mengisi perut orang ramai dengan makanan yang tiada tolok bandingnya.
HUSSEIN
(whispering to himself)
Dua ratus tahun...
MOHAMMAD
(pointing again at the portraits)
Kadeer Best Nasi Kandar 1876.
INSERT: Kadeer receives a trophy from a BRITISH GUY in 1876. Kadeer looks exactly like Mohammad.
MOHAMMAD
Itu pulak, Nasser Teh Tarik Terbaik, 1942.
INSERT: Nasser receives a trophy in 1942 from a JAPANESE GUY. Nasser looks exactly like Mohammad as well.
MOHAMMAD
Itu, Mahbob Rojak of the Year, 1962.
INSERT: Mahbob receives a trophy in 1962 from TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN. Mahbob also looks exactly like Mohammad.
MOHAMMAD
Mohammad, Mamak Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang 2005.
INSERT: Mohammad receives a trophy from PAK LAH.
Hussein touches his face as if wondering if he’ll turn out to look like all of them.
MOHAMMAD
(pointing to a picture-less frame)
Yang ini pulak... Untuk gambar engkau, Hussein. Pewaris Mohammad Nasi Kandar.
Hussein is surprised.
HUSSEIN
(stuttering)
Er, t-t-tapi macam mana dengan abang Ali Deen, yo yo yo?
MOHAMMAD
(suddenly turning angry)
Rapper kelas ketiga tu? Muzik Muzik semifinal pun kalah. Buat malu keturunan!
(starts ranting in Tamil, then continues...)
Hussein, appa nak kau janji.
HUSSEIN
Janji apa, appa?
MOHAMMAD
Janji yang kau takkan malukan keluarga kita. Janji kau takkan kecewakan appa macam si Ali tu, dan majukan lagi bisnes kita ini. Ingat, jangan sesekali lupakan asal usul kita. Inilah misi kita di bumi ini. Bukannya jadi artis hip-hop. Cit!
Hussein just looks down and doesn’t say anything.
MOHAMMAD
Dan bila kau sudah kahwin nanti dan ada keluarga sendiri, kau akan jadi pemilik penuh Mohammad Nasi Kandar!
(a beat)
Hussein, kenapa? Kau pun nak kecewakan appa?
Mohammad starts touching his CHEST, like a heart-attack is coming.
HUSSEIN
(while forcing a smile)
Tak. Tak, appa. Saya janji. Lagipun, saya lagi suka rock daripada hip-hop.
Mohammad suddenly feels better now and smiles. He puts his arm around Hussein. They look at the portraits again together. Hussein has his mind on something else.
(Mamak Cupcake is hitting cinemas 28/8/2014)
INT. MOHAMMAD NASI KANDAR – DAY
A guy is standing by the drinks dispenser and is holding two TIN MUGS. He’s in the midst of making teh tarik. From his nametag on his uniform, we know it is HUSSEIN.
Hussein pulls the tea in an impressive manner, not usually seen at other mamak restaurants.
When he’s done, he pours the tea into a medium-sized plastic bag. The camera pulls away and standing there, is a single OLD WOMAN in baju kurung.
OLD WOMAN
Hish, lama betul buat teh. Aku ada meeting ni lah.
The woman just shakes her head in disgust. Hussein stands there, “tergamam”.
He then walks over to the cashier counter. The restaurant itself is only half-packed with customers, mostly office workers and senior citizens. Other MAMAK WAITERS in their matching uniforms are attending to the customers.
Hussein then flashes a warm, yet tired smile when a young BOY approaches the counter and picks out a couple of SUGUS candy from a bottle.
BOY
Berapa sen ni bang?
HUSSEIN
30 sen, dik.
The boy hands 50 sen over to Hussein and waits for the change. When it doesn’t come…
BOY
Mana duit baliknya bang?
HUSSEIN
Duit baliknya...
Hussein reaches out to the boy and touches his ear and a 20 SEN COIN appears. The boy smiles; delighted by this bit of “magic”.
TIMELAPSE and the clock shows it’s now 9.40am. Hussein is anxious. He signals to one of his staff, ABU to sit at the cashier counter. Hussein then looks around and leaves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. MOHAMMAD FAMILY HOUSE, HUSSEIN’S ROOM – NIGHT
Hussein lies on his bed and stares at the ceiling. He then sits up, and slides out a SECRET CHEST from under the bed. He unlocks and opens it, and takes out a BOOK entitled ‘CUPCAKE-MAKING 101’. We also see other books in the chest, including ‘ART IS LIFE’ and ‘THE BEST IN INTERIOR DESIGN’. Hussein is not the typical mamak.
He flips open the pages of the cupcake book, looking at the beautiful illustrations.
Suddenly there’s a knock on the door. A slight pause then the door opens; it’s Mohammad.
Hussein hastily chucks the book back into the chest.
Mohammad enters. He gestures to Hussein.
MOHAMMAD
Hussein, ikut appa.
Hussein is puzzled but follows Mohammad out of the room.
INT. MOHAMMAD FAMILY HOUSE, UPPER FLOOR – NIGHT
Hussein and Mohammad are in front of a locked DOOR.
MOHAMMAD
Dalam ini, hadiah kedua kamu, Hussein.
Hussein is surpised.
HUSSEIN
Wah... selama ni, saya ingatkan ini cuma bilik stor. Tempat simpan hadiah, rupanya...
Mohammad suddenly flips open a set of KEYS. In a fast-forward manner, Mohammad opens 8 different locks. Hussein is even more impressed.
Mohammad pushes the door open, and suddenly a beam of LIGHT comes shining through.
INT. MOHAMMAD FAMILY HOUSE, SECRET ROOM – NIGHT
Hussein walks in slowly while Mohammad follows behind.
Once inside, we see the walls are adorned with PORTRAITS of prominent Mamaks with gold-rimmed frames. The lighting is spectacular.
MOHAMMAD
(pointing to the portraits)
Hussein, ini semua nenek moyang engkau. Sejak bertapak di bumi Malaysia ini lebih 200 tahun lalu, kita telah berbakti dengan mengisi perut orang ramai dengan makanan yang tiada tolok bandingnya.
HUSSEIN
(whispering to himself)
Dua ratus tahun...
MOHAMMAD
(pointing again at the portraits)
Kadeer Best Nasi Kandar 1876.
INSERT: Kadeer receives a trophy from a BRITISH GUY in 1876. Kadeer looks exactly like Mohammad.
MOHAMMAD
Itu pulak, Nasser Teh Tarik Terbaik, 1942.
INSERT: Nasser receives a trophy in 1942 from a JAPANESE GUY. Nasser looks exactly like Mohammad as well.
MOHAMMAD
Itu, Mahbob Rojak of the Year, 1962.
INSERT: Mahbob receives a trophy in 1962 from TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN. Mahbob also looks exactly like Mohammad.
MOHAMMAD
Mohammad, Mamak Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang 2005.
INSERT: Mohammad receives a trophy from PAK LAH.
Hussein touches his face as if wondering if he’ll turn out to look like all of them.
MOHAMMAD
(pointing to a picture-less frame)
Yang ini pulak... Untuk gambar engkau, Hussein. Pewaris Mohammad Nasi Kandar.
Hussein is surprised.
HUSSEIN
(stuttering)
Er, t-t-tapi macam mana dengan abang Ali Deen, yo yo yo?
MOHAMMAD
(suddenly turning angry)
Rapper kelas ketiga tu? Muzik Muzik semifinal pun kalah. Buat malu keturunan!
(starts ranting in Tamil, then continues...)
Hussein, appa nak kau janji.
HUSSEIN
Janji apa, appa?
MOHAMMAD
Janji yang kau takkan malukan keluarga kita. Janji kau takkan kecewakan appa macam si Ali tu, dan majukan lagi bisnes kita ini. Ingat, jangan sesekali lupakan asal usul kita. Inilah misi kita di bumi ini. Bukannya jadi artis hip-hop. Cit!
Hussein just looks down and doesn’t say anything.
MOHAMMAD
Dan bila kau sudah kahwin nanti dan ada keluarga sendiri, kau akan jadi pemilik penuh Mohammad Nasi Kandar!
(a beat)
Hussein, kenapa? Kau pun nak kecewakan appa?
Mohammad starts touching his CHEST, like a heart-attack is coming.
HUSSEIN
(while forcing a smile)
Tak. Tak, appa. Saya janji. Lagipun, saya lagi suka rock daripada hip-hop.
Mohammad suddenly feels better now and smiles. He puts his arm around Hussein. They look at the portraits again together. Hussein has his mind on something else.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Mamak Cupcake Press Conference
Finally, "Mamak Cupcake" was officially revealed to the world this past Wednesday. The press conference was held at House Restaurant at e@curve and it was great to see a huge turnout by the press.
Almost all the key cast members were there, together with our director Woo Ming Jin and Grand Brilliance GM, Tengku Iesta.
And here's the official synopsis for Mamak Cupcake:
Almost all the key cast members were there, together with our director Woo Ming Jin and Grand Brilliance GM, Tengku Iesta.
Filem ini berkisar tentang seorang anak jati Penang berketurunan Mamak iaitu MJ (Shaheizy Sam) yang mempunyai konflik minat dan matlamat hidup yang sangat berbeza di mana MJ amat meminati pembuatan kek cawan atau cupcake.
Malangnya, hasrat beliau terhalang kerana terpaksa bertarung hasrat bapanya yang menginginkan beliau untuk mewarisi perniagaan tradisi keluarganya. MJ hampir berputus asa sehinggalah beliau berjumpa dengan seorang gadis iaitu Juliana (Siti Saleha) yang mengembalikan semangat beliau.
Jadi, yang mana satukah pilihan MJ? Adakah MJ akan terus meneruskan perjuangan beliau demi minat ataupun meneruskan tradisi turun temurun perniagaan keluarganya? Nantikan kesudahan filem Mamak Cupcake yang bakal menemui anda tidak lama lagi.
Malangnya, hasrat beliau terhalang kerana terpaksa bertarung hasrat bapanya yang menginginkan beliau untuk mewarisi perniagaan tradisi keluarganya. MJ hampir berputus asa sehinggalah beliau berjumpa dengan seorang gadis iaitu Juliana (Siti Saleha) yang mengembalikan semangat beliau.
Jadi, yang mana satukah pilihan MJ? Adakah MJ akan terus meneruskan perjuangan beliau demi minat ataupun meneruskan tradisi turun temurun perniagaan keluarganya? Nantikan kesudahan filem Mamak Cupcake yang bakal menemui anda tidak lama lagi.
And lastly, here's the official first look at the film. ENJOY!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Mamak Cupcake: And It's A Wrap!
The SMS from the producer came at 4.17am, Monday morning: "Syukur Alhamdulillah... MAMAK CUPCAKE wrap sudah. Amin : )". Yup, after a colourful 28 days, "Mamak Cupcake" is "in the can".
And what an experience it has been for me, personally. I was on set almost every day during the final week where crucial mamak restaurant and ballroom battle scenes were filmed, it was valuable hands-on experience for me as the writer. Thanks again to our director Ming Jin who shared a lot of his plans and vision with me, as well as giving me the opportunity to talk to the actors about their lines and performances.
And of course, the cupcake scenes! We had hired professional baker Satira Diana whom, along with her team, came up with some truly inventive and eye-catching cupcakes.
One of the best parts about the film, as you will find out when it hits cinemas next year, is the wonderful cast itself. And it's great to note that they themselves have full confidence in the story being told, and their total commitment was nothing less than fantastic.
And oh, apart from our excellent cast, we also had a slew of "delicious" cameos by the likes of Dato' Chef Ismail, Adibah Noor, AG and, get ready for it, Dato' Hasbullah Awang!
Yup, I can't wait to watch it myself!
And what an experience it has been for me, personally. I was on set almost every day during the final week where crucial mamak restaurant and ballroom battle scenes were filmed, it was valuable hands-on experience for me as the writer. Thanks again to our director Ming Jin who shared a lot of his plans and vision with me, as well as giving me the opportunity to talk to the actors about their lines and performances.
The ballroom scenes, especially, were very challenging as we worked with over 100 extras, and not to mention, the complicated camera angles required to fully tell the story during those fast and frantic moments.
And of course, the cupcake scenes! We had hired professional baker Satira Diana whom, along with her team, came up with some truly inventive and eye-catching cupcakes.
One of the best parts about the film, as you will find out when it hits cinemas next year, is the wonderful cast itself. And it's great to note that they themselves have full confidence in the story being told, and their total commitment was nothing less than fantastic.
And oh, apart from our excellent cast, we also had a slew of "delicious" cameos by the likes of Dato' Chef Ismail, Adibah Noor, AG and, get ready for it, Dato' Hasbullah Awang!
Yup, I can't wait to watch it myself!
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Mamak Cupcake: So Far, So Good!
Yup, personally I'm loving what I've seen so far of "Mamak Cupcake". Been to a few days of production, and I must say that things are looking pretty good. We've got a really professional crew on set and the cast members have just been outstanding.
Really, it was hard for me (and most others) to keep a straight face every time a scene was shot. The comedic chemistry between the actors are really good, and they're really getting into the different characters.
Yes yes, I'm biased, but just remember these words when you catch the film next year : ) In the meantime, check out some of the shots I managed to snap this past week.
Really, it was hard for me (and most others) to keep a straight face every time a scene was shot. The comedic chemistry between the actors are really good, and they're really getting into the different characters.
Yes yes, I'm biased, but just remember these words when you catch the film next year : ) In the meantime, check out some of the shots I managed to snap this past week.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Mamak Cupcake: Aaand, Action!
Shooting for "Mamak Cupcake" finally began on Monday, 15th Oct just as planned. Didn't get to go for the first day, but I did drop-by on the following day when some scenes were shot at the Solaris Mont Kiara area. So far, so good!
Monday, October 08, 2012
Mamak Cupcake
Can't quite recall if I've mentioned this on this blog before, but about a couple of years ago, I started work on a screenplay called "Mamak Cupcake". It's a story about an heir to a mamak empire who wants nothing but to bake cupcakes instead. Yes, it IS indeed a comedy :)
Originally inspired by Ahmad Izham Omar, I have worked on the screenplay for the past couple of years; adding and twisting the story and characters after the project had been given the greenlight by Grand Brilliance. And the happy news now is that, shooting begins in a week's time!!!
After all the delays and setbacks, the film is finally getting made! The toughest part really was getting the right director. I had written a few drafts but I just needed a confirmed director to get into the details and share our vision for the story. So when Ming Jin (who recently directed GB's "KL Zombie") said yes to the project, it paved the way for the film to be fast-tracked.
The other challenge was in getting the lead actor. One name had been confirmed and shoot was slated for last July but it had to be postponed when it was found out that he was attached to another project. BUT now, it's all clear and the same actor will be leading the cast. That actor is 2010's Most Popular Superstar, Shaheizy Sam!
Indeed, we have a stellar cast! Apart from Shaheizy, we have Siti Saleha, Maria Farida, Faizal HotFM, Lydiawati, Azzad Jasmin and the legendary Acappan. Yes, Acappan! I had written the role specifically for him and I was over the moon when he said yes.
So, do stay tuned for more updates starting next week!
Originally inspired by Ahmad Izham Omar, I have worked on the screenplay for the past couple of years; adding and twisting the story and characters after the project had been given the greenlight by Grand Brilliance. And the happy news now is that, shooting begins in a week's time!!!
After all the delays and setbacks, the film is finally getting made! The toughest part really was getting the right director. I had written a few drafts but I just needed a confirmed director to get into the details and share our vision for the story. So when Ming Jin (who recently directed GB's "KL Zombie") said yes to the project, it paved the way for the film to be fast-tracked.
The other challenge was in getting the lead actor. One name had been confirmed and shoot was slated for last July but it had to be postponed when it was found out that he was attached to another project. BUT now, it's all clear and the same actor will be leading the cast. That actor is 2010's Most Popular Superstar, Shaheizy Sam!
Indeed, we have a stellar cast! Apart from Shaheizy, we have Siti Saleha, Maria Farida, Faizal HotFM, Lydiawati, Azzad Jasmin and the legendary Acappan. Yes, Acappan! I had written the role specifically for him and I was over the moon when he said yes.
So, do stay tuned for more updates starting next week!
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